Page 58 - All About History - Issue 54-17

HERO
HERO

VILLAIN?
VILLAIN?
OR

Howard

Hughes

Going from movie mogul to reclusive hermit,
daredevil aviator to mad inventor,

this billionaire defies easy categorisation

Written by David J. Williamson
rom his birth in 1905, Howard Hughes was University, and married Ella Rice, descendent of
destined to be rich. The dual-cone rotary drill the high class family that gave the school its name,
bit invented by his father enabled drilling instead. They moved to Los Angeles where his
for oil in previously inaccessible conditions, uncle, Rupert, was a screenwriter.
Fessentially creating a monopoly for the Hughes Though his marriage to Ella would only last four
Tool Company. However, Hughes found himself years, Howard quickly fell in love with the movies,
master of his destiny — and his fortune — much sensing a fantastic business opportunity that his
sooner than he could have expected. fortune could help him exploit. His wealth opened
By the time he was 16 his mother had died, doors and before long he was producing successful
followed by his father just two years later. He money-spinning films like Two Arabian Knights
inherited 75 per cent of his father’s company, with (1928), winning the very first Academy Award for
the other 25 per cent going to relatives. Under Best Director of a Comedy. Other successes were to
the legal age of 21 to own the company in his follow but not without controversy. Howard could
own right, Howard went to court to become an throw money at any project he chose, and did. The
emancipated minor and won his case. He then budgets for his movies were enormous. Hells Angels
bought out his relatives and took full control of (1930) began life as a silent film, but was then
the Hughes Tool Company. re-dubbed to have sound, pushing its budget to “Howard was a
Howard was a gifted technician and inventor $3.8 million. It grossed $8 million at the box office,
even in his early years, building his own wireless proving Howard’s business genius and self-belief. gifted technician
radio transmitter at 11 years old, converting his But, as always, Howard was prepared to push
push bike to motorised power and taking his first the boundaries with little respect for authority and and inventor even
flying lesson at 14. Despite this, he was never very the arrogance of a wealthy playboy not willing
academic. In 1925, Howard dropped out of Rice to be told what to do. The release of his 1932 film in his early years”
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